Point defense is always on; weapons can always be fired into or out of atmosphere, with the pentalty of having their lock increased to 6+. The exception to this is CAW, which cannot be fired into or out of atmosphere. Air-to-air removes this penalty, and allows for CAW weapons with it to fire while in atmosphere.

As said above:Point Defense is part of ship's defenses like Armour. It is not affected by rules for weapons; instead it is affected by various rules regarding Point Defense: - It is used to defend against Close Action weapons. - It cannot be used against Beam Close Action weapons (currently in use only in Shaltari for some ship classes: Amethyst, Turquoise, Jet, Palladium/Sapphire) - It is used to defend against Launch Assets - It cannot be used against Torpedoes.

There are additional weapon rules that modify or allow for Point Defense save, that are not in use on any of the ships: Mauler Burnthrough and Swarmer Close Action.

Atmosphere is not mentioned as a modifier in any place for Point Defense, therefore it does not affect it at all.